Communication of parent physiological data to infant

ABSTRACT

Communication of parent physiological data to an infant may include a first interface device which includes a sensor to record physiological data associated with a heartbeat of a parent, a processor to receive the physiological data from the sensor, and a transceiver; a server which receives the physiological data from the transceiver, accesses an instance of the physiological data from a replay storage location during a loss of communication, assigns a unique identifier, processes the physiological data, modifies the physiological data to be within an allowable threshold or accesses physiological data within the allowable threshold when the physiological data is outside an allowable threshold, filters the physiological data to apply an effect, and transmits the physiological data based on the unique identifier; and a second interface device which includes a transceiver to receive the physiological data and a communication element to communicate the physiological data to the infant.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/979,402 entitled “METHOD FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION OFPHYSIOLOGICAL DATA”, filed on 20 Feb. 2020. The entire contents of theabove-listed application are hereby incorporated by reference for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND

Communication is a very important part of how people bond and connectwith each other, animals, or other loved ones. This communication comesin many different forms such as verbal, non-verbal, physical, and visualcommunication.

However, there are often situations or obstacles that render variousforms of communication inappropriate or impossible. Some of thevariables that impact available channels of communication may includefacility type, disability of participants, developmental level ofparticipants, or geographic separation. Such variables can prevent aperson from communicating with another, thus preventing the bonding andconnection that may be desired and beneficial for physical and mentalhealth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be understood more fully when viewed inconjunction with the accompanying drawings of various examples ofcommunication of parent physiological data to an infant. The descriptionis not meant to limit the physiological data communication to thespecific examples. Rather, the specific examples depicted and describedare provided for explanation and understanding of physiological datacommunication. Throughout the description, each of the drawings may bereferred to as a drawing, figure, and/or FIG.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for physiological data communication,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a wearable device embodiment of the first interfacedevice of the system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates the second interface device of the system of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates the second interface device of the system of FIG. 1in a broadcast location, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for providing physiological data to aninfant, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Communication of parent physiological data to an infant, as disclosedherein, will become better understood through a review of the followingdetailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detaileddescription and figures provide merely examples of the variousembodiments of the communication of parent physiological data to aninfant. Many variations are contemplated for different applications anddesign considerations; however, for the sake of brevity and clarity, allthe contemplated variations may not be individually described in thefollowing detailed description. Those skilled in the art will understandhow the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered and notdepart in substance from the scope of the examples described herein.

Conventional infant care arrangements for physiologically compromisedinfants restrict parental contact and interaction with infants.Generally, the restriction of interaction is intended to reduce thechance of infection which may impede or otherwise disrupt the health anddevelopment of the infant. This is particularly relevant in intensivecare scenarios. An infant in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) isisolated from contact with the parents as infants qualifying for thislevel of care are especially vulnerable. This leaves the parent(s)feeling helpless as they are unable to interact with their child andprovide care and helpful stimulus to them during such a stressful anddifficult time. It also leaves the infant alone and isolated from itsparents. Additionally, there are strict requirements for communicationin an intensive care environment, as well as other care environments,which make the use of technology difficult.

Implementations of the communication of parent physiological data to aninfant, as described and claimed herein, may address some or all of theproblems described above. Embodiments for communication of parentphysiological data to an infant described herein may include the abilityto provide pre-recorded or real-time physiological data from a parentand transmit the physiological data to the infant. The physiologicaldata may include a heartbeat, voice, gut sound, breathing, walking orother movement sound, and so forth. The recorded physiological data maybe modified or have safeguards put in place prior to sending to a userat a location remote from the parent. For example, the physiologicaldata may be modified to simulate a womb environment, adjust volume,provide continuity, reduce background noise, or reduce unwantedfrequencies or other sound components. In another example, thephysiological data may be modified to adjust a particular component ornumber of components of the physiological data. A heartrate may beincreased or decreased to fit an allowable range, a breathing patternmay be adjusted, or so forth.

The physiological data may be provided to the infant to improve thewellbeing of the infant by assuring the infant of the wellbeing of theparent as interpreted by the physiological data, provide a calmingeffect, instill a feeling of security, provide a familiar environment orstimulus, or so forth. For example, infants under the care of hospitalfacilities may benefit from the transmission of a parent's heartbeat,voice, gut sounds, breathing, or so forth. Some studies suggest thatdevelopment and wellbeing of the child may be improved when providedwith stimuli based on the physiological data of the parent.

Embodiments described herein may allow for real-time or substantiallyreal-time provision of the physiological data of the parent to theinfant. If the physiological data exceeds a predetermined threshold oris outside an allowable range, the physiological data may be modified toavoid causing undue stress or excitement in the infant. For example, ifthe heartbeat of the parent exceeds a beats-per-minute threshold, theheartbeat may be modified to reduce the heartrate, or a pre-recordedheartbeat may be transmitted in lieu of the non-compliant heartbeat.Similarly, if a heartbeat, breathing pattern, etc. is too high or toolow (outside an allowable range), it may be modified to fit within theallowable range or recorded data from a replay storage location may beused in place of the physiological data detected. Additionally, ifsignal is lost or communication between the parent and the infantotherwise breaks down, prerecorded physiological data may be played toavoid a perception by the infant that the parent is under stress orotherwise compromised.

Embodiments described herein also conform to the stringent communicationrequirements in place in care facilities and allow a parent to be awayfrom the care facility and remain in contact with their child, providingboth beneficial stimulus for the child as well as peace of mind orcomfort for the parent in knowing that they are providing a benefit fortheir child during a relatively high-stress experience. This may improvemental health and assist in working through adverse conditions such aspost-partum depression.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for communication of parent 101physiological data to an infant 105, according to an embodiment.Embodiment described herein allow for recording of physiological datafrom a parent 101 and communication of the parent's physiological datato an infant 105 in compliance with strict communication requirements toprovide comfort and developmental benefits to the second user 105.

In the illustrated embodiment, the system 100 includes a first interfacedevice 102, a server 104, and a second interface device 106. The firstinterface device 102 may be configured to sense a physiologicalcharacteristic of the parent 101. For example, the first interfacedevice 102 may include a sensor to detect a heartbeat, voice, gutsounds, breathing, walking or other movement sounds, and so forth. Thefirst interface device 102 may also be configured to transmit thephysiological data to the server 104.

In some embodiments, the first interface device 102 is a wearable device102A. In other embodiments, the first interface device 102 is a portabledevice 102B. For example, the portable device 102B may be a phone,tablet, laptop, or so forth. In some embodiments, the first interfacedevice 102 may be a computer, recorder, or other portable ornon-portable device. In some embodiments, the first interface device 102communicates directly with the server 104. In other embodiments, thefirst interface device 102 communicates, at least in part, with anintermediate device such as a phone, computer, tablet, or so forth. Insome embodiments, the intermediate device provides communication to theserver 104. In other embodiments, the intermediate device and the firstinterface device 102 both communicate with the server 104.

The first interface device 102 allows a parent 101 to recordphysiological data. In some embodiments, the physiological data is sent,by the first interface device 102, to the server 104. The server 104 mayreceive the physiological data from the first interface device 102 andperform additional operations on the physiological data. For example,the server 104 may assign a unique identifier to the physiological data.The unique identifier may associate the physiological data with thefirst interface device 102 or with the parent 101. The server 104 may belocal to the first interface device 102 or the second interface device106 or remote to one or both of the first interface device 102 and thesecond interface device 106. In some embodiments, the server 104 may bea hardware-based server. In some embodiments, the server 104 may be asoftware-based server. For example, the server 104 may be a cloud-basedserver or other online or distributed resource server. In otherembodiments, the server 104 may be a network attached server coupleddirectly to one of the first interface device 102 or the secondinterface device 106 via a singular network or indirectly via multiplecommunication networks.

In some embodiments, the server 104 processes the physiological data tocomply with a communication standard. The communication standard may bea wireless communication format or may be a security requirement imposedby a broadcast location of the second interface device 106. For example,a hospital may have strict communication requirements that may involvesecurity of the transmission, signal or device interference risks of thetransmission, and so forth. Some embodiments of the server 104 mayfilter the physiological data to apply an effect to the physiologicaldata. For example, the physiological data may be filtered to reduce abackground noise, unintentional components, specific frequencies, or soforth. The server 104 may also filter the physiological data to apply avolume control to the physiological data. This may be particularlybeneficial for use in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of ahospital or other sensitive broadcast location.

The server 104 may be configured to store an instance of the live dataset or first data set of the physiological data to a replay storagelocation on the server 104 or a device or location separate from theserver 104 to form a second data set. In some embodiments, the server104 may be configured to store the second data set of the physiologicaldata for use in response to an interruption of the live data set fromthe first interface device or in response to detection that thephysiological data from the first interface device 102 exceeds athreshold or is otherwise outside of an allowable range. For example,the server 104 may store physiological data corresponding to a restingheartrate for use when the detected heartrate is too high or too low. Insome embodiments, the physiological data may be modified to form a thirddata set or modified data set. The physiological data may also bereplaced with data from the second data set that is within the allowablerange until it is determined that the live data set of the physiologicaldata has returned to a level within the allowable range. For example,the parent may go for a run and forget that they are transmitting theirheartbeat to the infant. As the system 100 detects the elevatedheartrate as exceeding the allowable range, the physiological data maybe replaced with a second data set corresponding to a resting heart rateor the heartbeat may be artificially slowed to form a third or modifieddata set that is within the allowable range until the parent hasfinished their run and their heartrate live data set has returned to alevel within the allowable range at which time, transmission of the livedata set would resume. Another example may include if the parent isasleep and their heartrate drops to a level which is below the allowablerange. The system 100 may similarly replace or modify the heartbeat tobring it within the allowable range until the heartrate of the parentreturns to the allowable range. In some embodiments, the allowable rangemay be determined by a parent. In other embodiments, the allowable rangemay be determined by another care provider such as a nurse, doctor,administrator, technician, or so forth.

In some embodiments, the physiological data may be filtered to apply aneffect to the physiological data to mimic or simulate a wombenvironment. For example, the filter applied may intake a heartbeat andmodify the heartbeat to simulate how it would sound to an unborn childin the womb. This filter may also be applied to breathing, music, voice,gut sounds, walking or other movement sounds, and so forth.

The server 104 may also be configured to transmit the physiological datato the broadcast location. The transmission may target the secondinterface device 106 based on the unique identifier applied to thephysiological data. In some embodiments, the second interface device 106may be placed at the broadcast location. The second interface device 106may receive the physiological data from the server 104 and communicatethe physiological data to an infant 105. The physiological data may becommunicated in compliance with the communication standard correspondingto the broadcast location and may have an applied effect.

The second interface device 106 may be positioned proximate the infant105 to provide stimulus to the infant 105 based on the physiologicaldata of the parent 101. The stimulus provided to the infant 105 may beat least one of auditory, visual, or tactile. For example, the secondinterface device 106 may be positioned proximate the infant 105 andconfigured to communicate the physiological data of the parent 101 tothe infant 105 to simulate a womb environment for the infant 105. In thecase of an infant 105, this effect may provide a calming ordevelopmental benefit to the infant. In one example, the infant 105 maybe a patient in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a hospital. Aparent may be the parent 101 and may provide the physiological data tothe second interface device 106 via the first interface device 102 andthrough the server 104. The physiological data may be a heartbeat,voice, breathing sound, gut sound, or so forth. In some embodiments, thesecond interface device 106 is configured for placement proximate alocation of the infant. For example, the second interface device 106 maybe configured for placement outside a bed or other structure housing theinfant, inside the bed or other structure with the infant, or otherwisepositioned to communicate the physiological data to the infant.

In some embodiments, the second interface device 106 is configured tooutput stimulus. In other embodiments, the second interface device 106is configured to output stimulus and detect or record incoming data atthe second interface device 106. For example, the second interfacedevice 106 may record sound or other input and transmit that input tothe first interface device 102 via the server 104 or directly. In thismanner, a user may receive an image, sound, physiological data, vitalinformation, caregiver information, or so forth via the system 100. Insome embodiments, the input provided to the user may be automatically ormanually filtered, updated, selected for transmission, or so forth. Insome embodiments, the second interface device 106 may include a receiverand a transmitter in a unified device. In other embodiments, thereceiver of the second interface device 106 may be separate from thetransmitter of the second interface device 106. For example, thereceiver of the second interface device 106 may be placed at a firstlocation to receive data and relay the data to a transmitter of thesecond interface device 106 which is placed at a second locationdistinct from the first location. In some examples, the receiver may beplugged into a power outlet to have constant power while the transmittermay be a wireless speaker placed near the infant. The speaker ortransmitter may be wireless, rechargeable, have a corresponding constantpower source, or so forth.

FIG. 2 illustrates a wearable device 102A embodiment of the firstinterface device 102 of the system 100 of FIG. 1, according to anembodiment. The first interface device 102 allows for recording ofphysiological data from a parent 101 so that the physiological data maybe provided to an infant 105. For example, physiological data from amother may be provided to her child. This may provide a calming effector aid in the physical and mental development of the child.Additionally, a portability or ease of use of the first interface device102 may allow for frequent real-time recording and transmission ofphysiological data from the parent 101 to the infant 105. For example, amother may wear the first interface device 102 to provide a constantfeed of physiological data to her child.

In some embodiments, the wearable device 102A includes a body 202 and astrap 204. The strap 204 may be configured to attach the body 202 to auser's wrist or other location. In some embodiments, the strap 204couples to be body 202 to position the body 202 of the wearable device102A to record physiological data. In some embodiments, the wearabledevice 102A includes a first sensor 206 and a second sensor 208. Thefirst sensor 206 may include a heartrate sensor or other biometric orphysiological sensor. The second sensor 208 may include a microphone orother audio sensor.

In some embodiments, the wearable device 102A includes two sensors. Inother embodiments, the wearable device 102A includes a single sensor ormore than two sensors. In some embodiments, one or more sensors may beincorporated in the device 102B for supplemental or stand-alonedetection. In some embodiments, the first sensor 206 tracks a heartbeat,heartrate, or other physiological data which may be transmitted by thewearable device 102A. In other embodiments, the wearable device 102Arecords the heartbeat, heartrate, or other physiological data anddisplays a representation of the physiological data to a display screenon the body 202 of the wearable device 102A. In some embodiments, thewearable device 102A may facilitate manipulation or approval/rejectionof the physiological data. In other embodiments, the wearable device102A may allow a user to select a type of physiological data to send.For example, the wearable device 102A may provide that ability to selecta recorded or detected heartbeat, heartrate, voice, gut sound,breathing, walking or other movement sound, or so forth

In some embodiments, the wearable device 102A may allow the user toinitiate a monitoring or detecting mode. For example, the user mayinterface with the wearable device 102A to start a feed of a heartbeat,make a heartbeat recording, make a voice recording or feed, and soforth. In some embodiments, the wearable device 102A records orotherwise provides physiological data for a predetermined amount oftime. In other embodiments, the wearable device 102A collectsphysiological data until the user stops the collection.

FIG. 3 illustrates the second interface device 106 of the system 100 ofFIG. 1, according to an embodiment. Some embodiments, of the secondinterface device 106 allow for broadcasting of the physiological data incompliance with a sensitive and highly controlled environment. Thesecond interface device 106 may provide beneficial stimulus to an infant105 and give parents or other caregivers peace of mind knowing that theyare providing a benefit to the infant 105.

In some embodiments, the second interface device 106 may include a body300, an antenna 302, a power control 304, a communication control 306,and a volume control 308. The second interface device 106 may alsoinclude a speaker 310 and a lighting element 312 positioned on a face314 of the second interface device 106. The body 300 of the secondinterface device 106 may include materials and construction which issafe for use. For example, the body 300 may include materials and/orconstruction to reduce a likelihood of snags, splintering, shock, burn,scratching, or other risks. Additionally, the body 300 may be easy toclean. In some embodiments, the body 300 and may include antimicrobialor antibacterial additives or coatings. For example, some embodimentsmay include a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) plastic with anantimicrobial additive. In some embodiments, the second interface device106 includes electronic shielding. For example, the electronic shieldingmay protect against electrical discharge, unintended radio wavetransmission or other radiation, electrical interference, unwantedsignal access, and so forth.

In some embodiments, the antenna 302 is configured to receivetransmitted data. The antenna 302 may be configured to facilitatecommunications in compliance with a communication standard correspondingto the broadcast location. For example, the antenna 302 may beconfigured to comply with a hospital communication protocol or reducethe chance of interference by communications sent from or received bythe antenna 302.

Embodiments of the antenna 302 may come in any form, shape, or functionand may include the ability to receive the transmission of data via awireless network. For example, the antenna 302 may be configured tocommunicate via a cellular network, local wireless network, or otherproprietary or non-proprietary network or communication protocol. Theantenna 302 and the physiological data may be configured to comply withprivacy regulations such as HIPAA or the like or to comply with wirelesscommunication standards and avoid interference with existing systems.

In some embodiments, the power control 304 operates an on/off functionof the second interface device 106. In some embodiments, the powered onor off state of the second interface device 106 is controlled locally tothe second interface device 106. In other embodiments, the powered on oroff state of the second interface device 106 may be controlled remotelyand communicated to the second interface device 106 via the antenna 302or otherwise.

In some embodiments, the communication control 306 may allow forinitiation of a link between the second interface device 106 and anotherdevice. For example, the communication control 306 may allow for pairingof the second interface device 106 with a sensor, transmitter, monitor,remote control, or so forth.

In some embodiments, the volume control 308 allows for local volumeadjustments to be made at the second interface device 106. The volumecontrol 306 may override a volume adjustment made by the server 104 orat the first interface device 102. In some embodiments, the volumecontrol 308 may allow a user at the second interface device 106 tocontrol a volume level to be appropriate for the environment andsituation in which the second interface device 106 may be found. Inother embodiments, the volume control is applied by the server 104 basedon the location and/or environment of the second interface device 106.For example, a predetermined decibel or other threshold limit may beapplied and the server 104 may modify the physiological data to conformto the threshold limit in response to detection that the physiologicaldata exceeds the threshold. In other embodiments, the volume levelapplied by the server 104 may be overridden by the volume control 308.In other embodiments, the server 104, first interface device 102, orsecond interface device 106 may apply an acoustic analysis to identifyother components of the physiological data and, in response to theidentification of the component, reduce, remove, replace, or enhance thecomponent of the physiological data based on a threshold, target, orother setting. For example, an infant in a NICU environment may tolerateor the environment may allow for a first volume level while an infant inanother unit within the hospital or other facility may tolerate, or theunit may allow, a second volume level. Other volume levels may beselected or determined based on the health and sensitivity of the infantand/or the requirements of the location or environment in which theinfant is located.

It should be understood that many potential methods exist to control thebasic functions of the second interface device 106. For example, one ormore buttons, knobs, and/or controls may be in touch sensitive, tactile,mobile or web application reactive, capacitive, voice control, or soforth. In some embodiments, the second interface device 106 may includea speaker 310 disposed in a face 314 of the second interface device 106.In other embodiments, the second interface device 106 may include alighting element 312 disposed in the face 314 of the second interfacedevice 106. The speaker 310 may provide audible or inaudible vibrationalstimulus to a user. For example, the speaker 310 may be configured tocommunicate an audible heartbeat or other sound to a user. The speaker310 may also communicate the heartbeat or other stimulus to the user viaan inaudible vibration which may be communicated directly or indirectlyto the user.

In some embodiments, the lighting elements 312 may illuminate to presenta particular lighting pattern. For example, the lighting elements 312may illuminate in a particular color or combination of colors. Thecolors may be coordinated with a characteristic of the physiologicaldata or an input at the first interface device 102 or the secondinterface device 106. The lighting elements 312 may also be configuredto provide visual displays of words, pictures, video, movement, or soforth.

While particular components are shown in conjunction with the secondinterface device 106, other components may be included. For example, thesecond interface device 106 may include a microphone, camera, sensor,vibratory or other motors, visual displays for words, pictures, or soforth, heaters, coolers, olfactory features, or so forth. Someembodiments of the receiver may be wireless. Other embodiments may bewired for at least one of power, data, synchronization, control, or soforth. In some embodiments, the second interface device 106 may bepowered through the use of battery, solar power, capacitor, induction,wireless power transmission, charging cord, or any other power supplyarrangement. In some embodiments, the second interface device 106includes hardware for hanging, mounting, orienting, securing, orotherwise situating the second interface device 106 relative to asurface or structure. For example, the second interface device 106 mayinclude hardware to facilitate mounting the second interface device 106on, in, or near a structure housing the infant.

In some embodiments, the second user interface device 106 may be acommunication element that is in communication with a separate localtransceiver. The transceiver may be placed separate from thecommunication element to receive the data and transmit the datawirelessly to the communication element to the infant. For example, thetransceiver may be plugged into a power source (e.g., a wall outlet) toreceive constant power while the communication element may be a wirelessdevice with an internal power source allowing the communication elementto be readily placed near the infant with intermittent recharging orpower source replacement or also having access to a constant powersource. In other embodiments, the second interface device 106 mayinclude the transceiver and communication element in a single unifiedarrangement.

FIG. 4 illustrates the second interface device 106 of the system 100 ofFIG. 1 in a broadcast location 400, according to an embodiment. In someembodiments, the second interface device 106 provides a unique abilityto share physiological data with a child while the child is kept awayfrom parents. The ability to provide that physiological data in the formof a heartbeat, voice, and so forth may provide beneficial comfortand/or aids in the development of the child. The second interface device106 is capable of providing a familiar element in a place that ispurposefully devoid of human contact and stimulus during such astressful and difficult time.

The illustrated embodiment includes the second interface device 106positioned at the broadcast location 400 to be proximate an incubator402. The incubator 402 may be a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)incubator. In some embodiments, the second interface device 106 providesstimulus to user in the incubator 402. The stimulus may take the form ofsound, light, vibration, and so forth. In some embodiments, the secondinterface device 106 may be positioned at a distance from the incubator402 to direct the stimulus towards the incubator 402. In otherembodiments, the second interface device 106 may be configured tocontact the incubator 402 and direct the stimulus into the incubator402. In some embodiments, the second interface device 106 utilizes acharacteristic or structure of the incubator 402 to communicate thestimulus to an interior of the incubator 402. For example, the secondinterface device 106 may be configured to utilize a resonance of theincubator 402.

In some embodiments, the second interface device 106 is separate fromthe incubator 402. In other embodiments, the second interface device 106is integrated with the incubator 402. For example, the second interfacedevice 106 may be incorporated into a wall or ceiling of the incubator402. The second interface device 106 may also be incorporated into afloor or other component of the incubator 402 or an associated structuresuch as a cart supporting the incubator 402.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for providing physiological data to aninfant, according to an embodiment. Some embodiments of the method 500described herein provide for contact between a parent and child thoughthe child may be isolated from the parent in a neonatal care location.Providing the stimulus aids the child in development and reducespotential stress events. Additionally, allowing the parent to providecare and love to their child while removed from the child may improve amental and emotional state of the parent.

The method 500 may include recording physiological data based on adetected physiological characteristic of a parent (Block 502). Forexample, the parent 101 may be a parent 101 wearing or otherwise using afirst interface device 102 to record a heartbeat, voice, gut sounds,breathing, walking or other movement sounds, and so forth. The method500 may include analyzing the physiological data to determine whetherthe physiological data is within an allowable range for transmission toan infant (Block 504). For example, the physiological data may be runthrough an acoustic or other analysis to compare one or more componentsof the physiological data to a corresponding allowable range for safelytransmitting the physiological data to the infant.

The method 500 may include identifying a component of the physiologicaldata that is outside of the allowable range in response to adetermination that the physiological data is outside of the allowablerange (Block 506). For example, the server 104 may detect a heartratewithin the physiological data and determine that the heartrate is low asto be below the allowable range.

The method 500 may include modifying or replacing the identifiedcomponent of the physiological data to be within the allowable range(Block 508). For example, if the identified component is too loud, itmay be reduced; too soft, amplified. If too fast, the identifiedcomponent may be slowed; too slow, sped up, and so forth.

The method 500 may include ceasing modification or replacement of theidentified component of the physiological data in response to adetermination that the identified component of the physiological datahas returned to the allowable range (Block 510). For example, if theidentified component is a rate of a heartbeat and the rate returns tothe allowable range, the heartbeat may be transmitted again without theneed for modification.

The method 500 may include communicating the physiological data to theinfant 105 in a neonatal care location (Block 512). For example, themodified physiological data may be transmitted to the second interfacedevice 106 which may be configured to deliver at least one of anaudible, visual, haptic, or other stimulus to the infant in the neonatalcare location.

In some examples, the identified component may correspond to only aportion of the physiological data communicated to the infant.Modification of the identified component of the physiological data mayreduce a health risk to the infant that may occur from exposure of theinfant to the physiological data. For example, the stress that may beinduced by subjecting the infant to a heartbeat that is excessively highor a drop in a breathing pattern, or so forth.

A feature illustrated in one of the figures may be the same as orsimilar to a feature illustrated in another of the figures. Similarly, afeature described in connection with one of the figures may be the sameas or similar to a feature described in connection with another of thefigures. The same or similar reference characters may note the same orsimilar features unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, thedescription of a particular figure may refer to a feature not shown inthe particular figure. The feature may be illustrated in, and/or furtherdescribed in connection with, another figure.

Elements of processes (i.e. methods) described herein may be executed inone or more ways such as by a human, by a processing device, bymechanisms operating automatically or under human control, and so forth.Additionally, although various elements of a process may be depicted inthe figures in a particular order, the elements of the process may beperformed in one or more different orders without departing from thesubstance and spirit of the disclosure herein.

The foregoing description sets forth numerous specific details such asexamples of specific systems, components, methods and so forth, in orderto provide a good understanding of several implementations. It will beapparent to one skilled in the art, however, that at least someimplementations may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known components or methods are not described indetail or are presented in simple block diagram format in order to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the present implementations. Thus, the specificdetails set forth above are merely exemplary. Particular implementationsmay vary from these exemplary details and still be contemplated to bewithin the scope of the present implementations.

Related elements in the examples and/or embodiments described herein maybe identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sakeof brevity and clarity, related elements may not be redundantlyexplained. Instead, the use of a same, similar, and/or related elementnames and/or reference characters may cue the reader that an elementwith a given name and/or associated reference character may be similarto another related element with the same, similar, and/or relatedelement name and/or reference character in an example explainedelsewhere herein. Elements specific to a given example may be describedregarding that particular example. A person having ordinary skill in theart will understand that a given element need not be the same and/orsimilar to the specific portrayal of a related element in any givenfigure or example in order to share features of the related element.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to beillustrative and not restrictive. Many other implementations will beapparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding theabove description. The scope of the present implementations should,therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, alongwith the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The foregoing disclosure encompasses multiple distinct examples withindependent utility. While these examples have been disclosed in aparticular form, the specific examples disclosed and illustrated aboveare not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations arepossible. The subject matter disclosed herein includes novel andnon-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements,features, functions and/or properties disclosed above both explicitlyand inherently. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite“a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, thedisclosure or claims is to be understood to incorporate one or more suchelements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more of such elements.

As used herein “same” means sharing all features and “similar” meanssharing a substantial number of features or sharing materially importantfeatures even if a substantial number of features are not shared. Asused herein “may” should be interpreted in a permissive sense and shouldnot be interpreted in an indefinite sense. Additionally, use of “is”regarding examples, elements, and/or features should be interpreted tobe definite only regarding a specific example and should not beinterpreted as definite regarding every example. Furthermore, referencesto “the disclosure” and/or “this disclosure” refer to the entirety ofthe writings of this document and the entirety of the accompanyingillustrations, which extends to all the writings of each subsection ofthis document, including the Title, Background, Brief description of theDrawings, Detailed Description, Claims, Abstract, and any other documentand/or resource incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein regarding a list, “and” forms a group inclusive of allthe listed elements. For example, an example described as including A,B, C, and D is an example that includes A, includes B, includes C, andalso includes D. As used herein regarding a list, “or” forms a list ofelements, any of which may be included. For example, an exampledescribed as including A, B, C, or D is an example that includes any ofthe elements A, B, C, and D. Unless otherwise stated, an exampleincluding a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not precludeother examples that include various combinations of some or all of thealternatively-inclusive elements. An example described using a list ofalternatively inclusive elements includes at least one element of thelisted elements. However, an example described using a list ofalternatively inclusive elements does not preclude another example thatincludes all of the listed elements. And, an example described using alist of alternatively inclusive elements does not preclude anotherexample that includes a combination of some of the listed elements. Asused herein regarding a list, “and/or” forms a list of elementsinclusive alone or in any combination. For example, an example describedas including A, B, C, and/or D is an example that may include: A alone;A and B; A, B and C; A, B, C, and D; and so forth. The bounds of an“and/or” list are defined by the complete set of combinations andpermutations for the list.

Where multiples of a particular element are shown in a FIG., and whereit is clear that the element is duplicated throughout the FIG., only onelabel may be provided for the element, despite multiple instances of theelement being present in the FIG. Accordingly, other instances in theFIG. of the element having identical or similar structure and/orfunction may not have been redundantly labeled. A person having ordinaryskill in the art will recognize based on the disclosure herein redundantand/or duplicated elements of the same FIG. Despite this, redundantlabeling may be included where helpful in clarifying the structure ofthe depicted examples.

The Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed tocombinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed examples that arebelieved to be novel and non-obvious. Examples embodied in othercombinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elementsand/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims orpresentation of new claims in the present application or in a relatedapplication. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed tothe same example or a different example and whether they are different,broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to beconsidered within the subject matter of the examples described herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a first interfacedevice comprising: a sensor configured to record physiological dataassociated with a heartbeat of a parent; a processor configured toreceive the physiological data from the sensor, wherein thephysiological data corresponds to a physiological characteristic of theparent; and a transceiver configured to communicate the physiologicaldata; a server configured to: receive the physiological data from thefirst interface device, wherein the received physiological data forms afirst data set; in response to a loss of communication of thephysiological data from the first interface device, access a storedinstance of the physiological data previously stored to a replay storagelocation, wherein the stored instance of the physiological data forms asecond data set; assign a unique identifier to the physiological data toassociate the physiological data with the first interface device;process the physiological data to comply with a communication standardcorresponding to a broadcast location; in response to detection that thefirst data set received from the first interface device is outside anallowable threshold, modify the first data set to form a third data setthat is within the allowable threshold or access the second data set,from the replay storage location, that is within the allowablethreshold; filter the physiological data to apply an effect to thephysiological data; and transmit the physiological data to the broadcastlocation based on the unique identifier; and a second interface deviceconfigured to be positioned at the broadcast location and comprising: atransceiver configured to receive the physiological data; and acommunication element configured to communicate the physiological datato an infant in compliance with the communication standard correspondingto the broadcast location and with the effect applied.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the server is further configured to: detect a loss ofcommunication from the first interface device; replay the second dataset; and resume transmission of the first data set from the firstinterface device when communication with the first interface device isrestored.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the physiological datafurther comprises a voice of the parent.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the effect applied to the physiological data comprises removalof a component of the physiological data.
 5. The system of claim 4,wherein the removal of the component of the physiological data comprisesremoval of background noise.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein theeffect applied to the physiological data comprises a womb effect tosimulate a womb environment at the broadcast location.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the communication standard corresponding to thebroadcast location comprises a volume level configured to accommodate asensitivity of the infant or a requirement of the broadcast location. 8.A system comprising: a first interface device comprising: a sensorconfigured to record physiological data associated with a heartbeat of aparent; a processor configured to receive the physiological data fromthe sensor, wherein the physiological data corresponds to aphysiological characteristic of the parent; and a transceiver configuredto communicate the physiological data; and a server configured to:receive the physiological data from the first interface device, whereinthe received physiological data forms a first data set; in response to aloss of communication of the physiological data from the first interfacedevice, access a stored instance of the physiological data previouslystored to a replay storage location, wherein the stored instance of thephysiological data forms a second data set; assign a unique identifierto the physiological data to associate the physiological data with thefirst interface device; process the physiological data to comply with acommunication standard corresponding to an infant care location; inresponse to detection that the first data set received from the firstinterface device is outside an allowable threshold, modify the firstdata set to form a third data set that is within the allowable thresholdor access the second data set, from the replay storage location, that iswithin the allowable threshold; filter the physiological data to applyan effect to the physiological data; and transmit the physiological datato the infant care location based on the unique identifier.
 9. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the physiological data further comprises atleast one of: a voice of the parent; data is indicative of respirationof the parent; or gut sounds of the parent.
 10. The system of claim 8,wherein the physiological data further comprises: a voice of the parent;data is indicative of respiration of the parent; and gut sounds of theparent.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the server is configured toencrypt the physiological data prior to transmission of thephysiological data to the infant care location in compliance with acommunications standard corresponding to the infant care location toreduce a possibility of violating a privacy regulation enforced at theinfant care location.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the firstunique identifier further identifies a second interface device anddistinguishes the second interface device from another interface deviceat the infant care location to avoid accidental interference with theother interface device.
 13. A system comprising: a first interfacedevice comprising: a sensor configured to record physiological dataassociated with a heartbeat of a parent; a processor configured toreceive the physiological data from the sensor, wherein thephysiological data corresponds to a physiological characteristic of theparent; and a transceiver configured to communicate the physiologicaldata; and a server configured to: receive the physiological data fromthe first interface device, wherein the received physiological dataforms a first data set; in response to a loss of communication of thephysiological data from the first interface device, access a storedinstance of the physiological data previously stored to a replay storagelocation, wherein the stored instance of the physiological data forms asecond data set; and transmit the physiological data to a broadcastlocation.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the physiological datafurther comprises at least one of: a voice of the parent; data isindicative of respiration of the parent; or gut sounds of the parent.15. The system of claim 13, wherein the physiological data furthercomprises: a voice of the parent; data is indicative of respiration ofthe parent; and gut sounds of the parent.
 16. The system of claim 13,assign a unique identifier to the physiological data to associate thephysiological data with the first interface device; process thephysiological data to comply with a communication standard correspondingto the broadcast location; in response to detection that the first dataset received from the first interface device is outside an allowablethreshold, modify the first data set to form a third data set that iswithin the allowable threshold or access the second data set, from thereplay storage location, that is within the allowable threshold; andfilter the physiological data to apply an effect to the physiologicaldata.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein modifying the first data setcomprises: applying a volume limit required by broadcast location;slowing down a first heartbeat that is determined to be above a firstthreshold; or speeding up a second heartbeat that is determined to bebelow a second threshold.